Appealing bursary decision - worth a go?

[PonderLonelyAsACloud]

I will start by saying that we haven't been notified of the outcome of our bursary application but will likely hear in the next couple of weeks. I am nervous that we may not be offered enough of a discount to make it manageable to send DC to the school (secondary, currently at state primary, starting Y7 in Sept).

We have tried to manage DC's expectations throughout the admissions process. They sat the entrance assessment today and I think they would absolutely thrive at this school. If they don't get offered a place or we're not offered enough of a bursary, there's a decent state school that we would be happy with. But the private school is really incredible and I'd so love the opportunity for DC.

So, in the event that DC is offered a place but the bursary offer (if any) isn't enough to make it affordable, I'm keen to hear whether there's any experience or examples of people appealing and being offered a greater discount.

Just to add, I am well aware that VAT will make bursary pots even more stretched and that offers will have been carefully calculated, and competition will likely be very high, so we are assuming that this isn't going to work out for us, but really just trying to think through scenarios and hearing others' experience would be really helpful. Thank you

Fingers crossed OP! (And don't worry - plenty of kids parents turn up in old bangers in my experience..!)

My child currently receives a 70% bursary, which has been consistent for the past two years. However, this year, we’ve been informed that the bursary will be reduced, regardless of whether our financial circumstances have changed. We’re not yet sure how significant the reduction will be, and it’s causing us a great deal of anxiety.

Also, we do know it is a 'sliding scale' and they don't usually offer a bursary if the family
income is £75k or over.

Oh goodness, that sounds incredibly stressful, fingers crossed it's not a substantial reduction and doesn't affect your DC's ability to continue at the school. Good luck

Thank you so much ☺️

I think you are applying to the same school as us - SHSK? We are in the exact same position! Offer received this evening, now waiting on bursary information! Good luck 🤞

Very sorry to hear that but unfortunately a story across UK now due to VAT. It was always going to hit the lower income families!

@PonderLonelyAsACloud just wondered what happened here for you @PonderLonelyAsACloud

We were offered a bursary! DC starts in September and is so excited!

Did they say why they got it wrong in the first place? @PonderLonelyAsACloud

They didn’t get it wrong? My post was before we’d heard the outcome of our application - I was thinking through scenarios and seeking others’ experiences in case we weren’t offered as much of a bursary as we would need to enable DC to accept the place

Great news! Did you get the 75%?

Congratulations! Well done and good luck to you DC!

Thank you so much x

Not quite, but we’re going to make it work

Congratulations and I wish your son all the best at the school.

I’m glad things worked out for you 😊

That’s great news! Massive well done to your DC - they obviously did amazingly well in the entrance exam to be offered the bursary you need. Hope it all goes really well for them. Our experience of an expensive selective school as one of the ‘poorer’ families has been really positive from the start. Our son has made great friends, academically has absolutely flown and so far there hasn’t really been a downside to him not always being able to do everything that some of his richer friends can. We are a few years in now and still really happy with the choice we made/ opportunity that was offered. Hope you have a similar experience!

@gardengoalThank you so much, and for sharing your experience too. Wonderful to hear that your DC is thriving - am feeling optimistic that this will be our experience too x